Introduction to Ephesians (Adaptation of a Talk)

1) What is the sacred secret (τὸ μυστήριον)?

2) What is Jehovah's administration (οἰκονομίαν)?

3) How can each of us promote unity in Jehovah's organization today?

Eph. 1:8-9, the sacred secret involves the messianic kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ and his 144,000 co-rulers.

Mark 4:11 links the sacred secret with God's kingdom when Jesus there exclaims to his disciples: “To you the sacred secret of the kingdom of God has been given.”​

Compare Ephesians 3:4-6.

In a similar manner, Jehovah's sacred secret and his administration are intimately related. Continuing with Eph. 1:10, we read that Jehovah purposed . . . (read Eph. 1:10)

So what is this administration? It is God's arrangement for unifying all his intelligent creatures, both the things in the heavens and the things on the earth. This administration will carry out its objective in two stages. The first stage prepares the sacred congregation of anointed ones for life in heaven under Jesus Christ as their spiritual Head. This stage began at Pentecost 33 C.E. when Jehovah started to gather those who would rule with Christ in heaven. (Acts 2:1-4) Since the anointed have been declared righteous for life on the basis of Christ’s ransom sacrifice, they heartily accept their standing as “God’s children.”​—Rom. 3:23, 24; 5:1; 8:15-17.

The second stage of Jehovah's administration prepares those who will dwell in Paradise on earth under Christ’s Messianic Kingdom. The “great crowd” comprise the initial part of this group. (Rev. 7:9, 13-17; 21:1-5)

During the Thousand Year Reign, they will be joined by billions of resurrected ones. (Rev. 20:12, 13) Imagine how the resurrection will further demonstrate our unity! At the end of the thousand years, the “things on the earth” will be subjected to a final test. Those proving faithful will be adopted as earthly “children of God.”​—Rom. 8:21; Rev. 20:7, 8.

Both stages of God’s administration are concurrently developing today​—the heavenly and earthly parts.